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#1
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Russia, the Baltics, and Belarus
A quick hi to all the regulars out there. I promise to come back in
the following months to make trouble, and offer blunt advice where I can. OK, so I have a few weeks to kill in Moscow, and don't really want to hang around there, so I am planning to do a circuit that goes Moscow-St Petersburg, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, and then back to Moscow. Firstly, has ANYONE actually been to Belarus? I am expecting some unforgiving bureaucracy, poverty, corruption, and all the general trappings of the region, and tourism levels there are bound to be very low. Is Russian or Polish widely spoken there? Is English spoken at all in Minsk? How rough is it in comparison to, say, Russia, Poland, or Romania? And has anyone got tips for exchanging money, or where I can find ATMs? Also, are Russian and English widely spoken in the Baltic states? Finally, I believe I need 2 visas for Russia. Firstly a tourist one for the first Russian leg of the tour, and then a transit one for the trip from Belarus back to Moscow. Can I possibly get a transit visa from the border, and how long are they valid for? Are they any cheaper than a tourist visa? I would need about 3 days to get from Belarus, and then to fly out from Moscow. I know that the consulates can give me accurate information, but there isn't one in Australia, where I am currently residing. Oh, one more thing, is there a good little phrasebook anyone can recommend for this journey? How difficult is Russian to learn in comparison to Polish (which I picked up the basics of in a week or 2)? My strategy is to find a Russian in Moscow who can help me with the pronounciation. Thanks folks! --- DFM |
#2
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Russia, the Baltics, and Belarus
as far as the baltic states :
Latvia has about 50% of native russians therefore russina is a normal language. Estonia has 28% of native russians.. therefore russian is widely spoken. Lithuania has a small minority of native russians but everybody speaks russian.- of course english is widely spoken. these 3 countries have nothing to share with the old Iron courtain.. Estonia looks like a small Finland.. Tallinn is the best of the three capital towns. prices are about 50% of the normal european prices.. that is.. with 25 eur you can have a good meal for two persons.. with 100 eur you can sleep in the best hotels ( radissons hotels have a special internet price..and it is a 4 star chain.. ) of course.. you can find all types of accomodation. apartments are also widely offered.. price for central locations is about 50 eur per apt. I just came back from Tallinn. so if you need first hand info.. no problem. as to belarus.. what i hear is that the standard is very low.. between 50 and 100 eur per month. "Deep Flawed Muslim" ha scritto nel messaggio om... A quick hi to all the regulars out there. I promise to come back in the following months to make trouble, and offer blunt advice where I can. OK, so I have a few weeks to kill in Moscow, and don't really want to hang around there, so I am planning to do a circuit that goes Moscow-St Petersburg, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, and then back to Moscow. Firstly, has ANYONE actually been to Belarus? I am expecting some unforgiving bureaucracy, poverty, corruption, and all the general trappings of the region, and tourism levels there are bound to be very low. Is Russian or Polish widely spoken there? Is English spoken at all in Minsk? How rough is it in comparison to, say, Russia, Poland, or Romania? And has anyone got tips for exchanging money, or where I can find ATMs? Also, are Russian and English widely spoken in the Baltic states? Finally, I believe I need 2 visas for Russia. Firstly a tourist one for the first Russian leg of the tour, and then a transit one for the trip from Belarus back to Moscow. Can I possibly get a transit visa from the border, and how long are they valid for? Are they any cheaper than a tourist visa? I would need about 3 days to get from Belarus, and then to fly out from Moscow. I know that the consulates can give me accurate information, but there isn't one in Australia, where I am currently residing. Oh, one more thing, is there a good little phrasebook anyone can recommend for this journey? How difficult is Russian to learn in comparison to Polish (which I picked up the basics of in a week or 2)? My strategy is to find a Russian in Moscow who can help me with the pronounciation. Thanks folks! --- DFM |
#3
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Russia, the Baltics, and Belarus
Deep Flawed Muslim schrieb:
A quick hi to all the regulars out there. I promise to come back in the following months to make trouble, and offer blunt advice where I can. OK, so I have a few weeks to kill in Moscow, Tourist visas are now issued for a month. and don't really want to hang around there, so I am planning to do a circuit that goes Moscow-St Petersburg, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, and then back to Moscow. Firstly, has ANYONE actually been to Belarus? Transited by car and by train. I am expecting some unforgiving bureaucracy, poverty, corruption, and all the general trappings of the region, and tourism levels there are bound to be very low. Is Russian or Polish widely spoken there? Russian. Authorities encourage the use of Russian. Is English spoken at all in Minsk? In some International hotels, I guess. Some people between 15 and, let's say, 35 might also have knowledge of English. How rough is it in comparison to, say, Russia, Poland, or Romania? AFAIK, there are lots of law enforcement officers. Don't get into trouble with them. Crime rates might be lower than in Russia. And has anyone got tips for exchanging money, or where I can find ATMs? Also, are Russian and English widely spoken in the Baltic states? Widely would be exagerated but at a wider level than in Minsk as far as English is concerned. All inhabitants that lived there during Soviet times should be able to understand Russian but some don't want to understand/speak it. Finally, I believe I need 2 visas for Russia. Firstly a tourist one for the first Russian leg of the tour, and then a transit one for the trip from Belarus back to Moscow. No idea whether they accept transit from Belarus to Australia via Smolensk. Can I possibly get a transit visa from the border, No. There should be no border guards (but maybe strett controls), and Russian transit visas are normally not issued at the port of entry. You might have real problems showing up at one of the Moscow international airports with a used and expired Russian visa. and how long are they valid for? Are they any cheaper than a tourist visa? I would need about 3 days to get from Belarus, and then to fly out from Moscow. 3 days at my knowledge. But you should not break your journey. So there might be a problem if you use more than 2 days. I know that the consulates can give me accurate information, but there isn't one in Australia, where I am currently residing. Sure? Try http://www.sydneyrussianconsulate.com/visa.htm They should be able to tell you who may give information about Belarus. Try also http://www.mfa.gov.by/eng/index.php?d=consul&id=4 http://www.mfa.gov.by/eng/index.php?d=consul&id=3 You *might* be able to get the belorussian visa at Tallinn, Vilnius Riga or Daugavpils. You might have problems arranging a Russian transit visa before getting the Belorussian visa but there is one solution: A Russian transit visa may be valid for transit between Latvia/Estonia and Moscow international airport. It *might or might not* be valid for transit from Belarus after getting a Belarusian visa later. Don't know if you have to tell them which border you want to use but http://www.sydneyrussianconsulate.co...ation_form.pdf looks like. Regards, ULF |
#4
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Russia, the Baltics, and Belarus
Deep Flawed Muslim wrote:
Firstly, has ANYONE actually been to Belarus? I am expecting some unforgiving bureaucracy, poverty, corruption, and all the general trappings of the region, Well, don't go there if that is all you expect. Personally, I'd expect interesting historical cities, beautiful national parks, and hospitable people. http://www.belarus.org.uk/ Bjorn |
#5
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Russia, the Baltics, and Belarus
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#6
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Russia, the Baltics, and Belarus
Deep Flawed Muslim
Firstly, has ANYONE actually been to Belarus? Yes, three times last year and I'm going again in a few weeks. I am expecting some unforgiving bureaucracy, poverty, corruption, and all the general trappings of the region, and tourism levels there are bound to be very No worse than Russia really, at least in Minsk, Mogilev, Grodno and other major cities. low. Is Russian or Polish widely spoken there? Russian is basically universal in Minsk, Polish crops up closer to the border particularly in Brest but Russian is still dominant. Is English spoken at all in Minsk? Yes, in major hotels and at the airport etc. As for the general population, all the younger ones studied English at school so they all know at least a few words. How rough is it in comparison to, say, Russia, Poland, If you're referring to 'criminality' then it is 'smoother' than Russia or Romania. And has anyone got tips for exchanging money, There are currency conversion kiosks near or in just about every large shop. No-one holds money in rubles (Belarusian Rubles I mean) ...dollars and euros are held and converted immediately before purchasing something. or where I can find ATMs? Loads of those too. Finally, I believe I need 2 visas for Russia. Firstly a tourist one for the first Russian leg of the tour, and then a transit one for the trip from Belarus back to Moscow. Can I possibly get a transit visa from the border, and how long are they valid for? You can't get a Belarusian visa of any sort at the border. You need to apply at a consulate or get one on arrival at Minsk 2 airport (which is what always do). Eryk --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.593 / Virus Database: 376 - Release Date: 20/02/2004 |
#7
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Russia, the Baltics, and Belarus
"Eryk" wrote in message news:TQPhc.78$pd6.24@newsfe1-win...
Deep Flawed Muslim Firstly, has ANYONE actually been to Belarus? Yes, three times last year and I'm going again in a few weeks. Ok., thanks Eryk, and to everyone else. I am currently reconsidering Belarus for a few reasons. Firstly, I can't seem to find much that I should see there. It really seems to be a place you go because few other people go there, or maybe because you want to view some radioactive sites. The terrain is supposedly very flat and uninspiring too. I generally travel to see things that are uniquely beautiful, fascinating or just bizarre. Is there anything I am missing, or is there not a great deal to see there considering the other places I am going to? Secondly, Lonely Planet warns that the cost of accomodation and meals for tourists is high (and bad value), but all else is dirt cheap. This coupled with difficult visa rules is starting to make the place look like it's more trouble that its worth. I only wanted to spend maybe 5 - 8 days there in total. Finally, my Russian is non-existent at this point, and I only expect it to be at survival-level when I get there. This would make it quite difficult, but I have dealt with the absence of a local language a few times before without too many problems. I guess I want someone to say "YES, GO TO BELARUS AND SEE BLAH BLAH BLAH.... IT'S REALLY WORTH THE EFFORT!!!!", or "Don't bother, stick to the Baltic states instead". Thanks again for the replies! --- DFM |
#8
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Russia, the Baltics, and Belarus
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#9
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Russia, the Baltics, and Belarus
Deep Flawed Muslim wrote:
I guess I want someone to say "YES, GO TO BELARUS AND SEE BLAH BLAH BLAH.... IT'S REALLY WORTH THE EFFORT!!!!", or "Don't bother, stick to the Baltic states instead". Why? Bjorn |
#10
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Russia, the Baltics, and Belarus
"?ystein" wrote in message om... When it comes to being flat, that is equaly true for Russia (except Caucasus and Ural), Ukrain and the Baltics as well. If you are planning to go mountain hiking, find somewhere else. The Carpathian Mountains in Western Ukraine aren't exactly flat, nor is the Crimean Peninsula. Lana |
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